On Sunday, it was confirmed that Maikel Herrera Bones, a well-known activist and political dissident, passed away. He was a prominent defender of human rights on the island of Cuba. Since 2012, Herrera had been living with HIV, which had significantly deteriorated his health in recent months. Reports and personal accounts suggest that his condition worsened due to inadequate medical attention, allegedly because of his political stance.
In November 2024, independent media outlets reported that, despite his critical condition, Herrera was denied necessary treatment. Efforts to secure a humanitarian visa for medical care abroad were unsuccessful. Herrera was a member of the Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU) and a promoter of the Cuba Decide initiative. His activism led to multiple arrests and persecution by authorities.
In 2019, he led a protest against police corruption, and in 2020, he was detained for demonstrating against a power outage in his community. During his imprisonment, he engaged in hunger strikes to protest injustices and lack of medical care, further compromising his health.
The death of Maikel Herrera has sparked reactions both within and outside of Cuba. International organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have previously acknowledged his courage in standing up to government repression. Friends and colleagues remember him as a passionate advocate for freedom and human dignity. "His death sends a clear message that those who oppose the oppressive Communist regime suffer not only from illness but from medical neglect," stated independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
His cousin, Yoel Parsons Bones, expressed his intent to honor Herrera's memory, saying, "You have been my pride since I met you. I will love you until the end of my days." The platform Cuba Decide, of which Maikel was a part, mourned his passing, recalling his dedication to the human rights cause.
A week prior, another UNPACU member and Cuba Decide activist, Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas, died under suspicious circumstances in a Havana prison. Guillén Esplugas was a political prisoner serving a six-year sentence for his involvement in the July 11 protests. His mother, Dania María Esplugas Falcó, refuted the official narrative of suicide, accusing prison authorities of murder and deceitfully covering up the crime.
According to his mother, at the time of his death, Guillén Esplugas was in solitary confinement, reportedly for attempting to escape.
Impacts of Political Repression in Cuba
What was Maikel Herrera known for?
Maikel Herrera was known for his activism in defending human rights in Cuba and his opposition to the Communist regime. He was involved with the Cuban Patriotic Union and Cuba Decide initiative.
How did Maikel Herrera's health condition affect his activism?
Herrera's health, compromised by HIV, worsened due to alleged medical neglect, which many attribute to his political activism. Despite his condition, he continued to advocate for human rights.
What were the circumstances surrounding Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas' death?
Guillén Esplugas died in a Havana prison under suspicious circumstances. Official reports claimed it was suicide, but his mother accused authorities of murder and covering up the crime.